The BJP on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi over her memoir, alleging that the book appears to be less of an autobiography and more of an attempt to cover up the “Himalayan mistakes and misdeeds” of the Gandhi family.

Speaking to media, BJP MP Tarun Chugh said, “Sonia Gandhi’s book appears to be less of an autobiography and more of an attempt to cover up the Himalayan mistakes and misdeeds of the Gandhi family. It seems that Maino’s Manohar Kahaniyan’, written by a ghostwriter, has been presented before the country. By describing the Emergency as merely a mistake, the book has covered up the arrest of lakhs of people, press censorship, the violation of the Constitution, the suppression of democracy and the transformation of the country into a prison. It is silent on the military operation at Sri Harmandir Sahib in 1984, the wounds of which are still fresh.”

Meanwhile, BJP Keralam President Rajeev Chandrasekhar criticised Sonia Gandhi over references in her book to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, accusing her of attempting to shift responsibility for the atrocities.

Speaking about the memoir, Chandrasekhar said, “I have not read the book, but I have read a few excerpts on social media. She is trying to blame the Indian Army and General Vaidya for the heinous crimes committed against Sikhs in 1984. Now, Sonia Gandhi wants to whitewash history and give it a new colour. Indians will never fall for this or forget the crimes committed by the Congress party, particularly the 1984 genocide. She should have called the book ‘whitewashing’ rather than whatever else she has called it.”

BJP leader Manmeet Singh also questioned the omissions in Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, alleging that it failed to mention several controversies and scams associated with the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

He said, “Sonia Gandhi calls herself the Super PM. She used Manmohan Singh as a front. Although Manmohan Singh held the post of Prime Minister, everything in the party and the country was run according to Sonia Gandhi’s wishes. We want to ask Sonia Gandhi why she has mentioned the good work she did in her book, ‘The Belonging’, but forgot to mention the scams. She has not mentioned the National Herald, Bofors or 2G scams, or the scams that took place in the country during the UPA government. She should also tell the public about these scams and explain why she is no longer in power…”

BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also questioned the nature of the memoir, saying it appeared to be more of a political commentary than a personal account.

“Her book appears to be more of a political satire than a personal memoir. When a personal memoir appears to be political satire, and an individual’s account raises political controversies and questions, it naturally gives rise to several questions…” he said.

Meanwhile, reacting to the controversy surrounding the portrayal of former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Sonia Gandhi’s book, Janata Dal (United) National Spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan said it reflected the Congress leadership’s frustration.

Ranjan said, “In fact, this reflects the Congress leaders’ frustration over the objectionable portrayal of Nitish Kumar in Sonia Gandhi’s book. Sonia Gandhi suggested that Nitish Kumar was looking for excuses to leave the INDIA bloc and that his proximity to the BJP was the reason behind his decision.”

The BJP, the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Congress, and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) on Thursday made light of the prospects of the AIMIM-Azad Samaj Party (ASP) alliance for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly election.

While BJP leaders dismissed the alliance, claiming that it would not affect their political position, Samajwadi Party leaders maintained that the people of Uttar Pradesh had already decided to remove the BJP government.

Meanwhile, the Congress said that the main political contest is between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.

Speaking to media, Uttar Pradesh Minister Girish Chandra Yadav said: “Let them (the new alliance) contest on 200 seats; it is not going to have any impact on us, the Bharatiya Janata Party. And no alliance or front can stop the BJP. We want to remind you that in 2022, the Samajwadi Party had taken out a Vijay Yatra; they set out with a Vijay Rath. The Vijay Rath itself got punctured, and the BJP formed the government with more than a two-thirds majority. So, in 2027 as well, under the leadership of the illustrious Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, a BJP government will be formed; no one on earth can stop it.”

Shiv Sena leader Shaina N.C. questioned the electoral performance of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Azad Samaj Party-Kanshi Ram chief Chandrashekhar Aazad in the previous Assembly elections.

“Asaduddin Owaisi contested 100 seats in 2022. How many did he win? Zero. Chandrashekhar Azad contested 33 seats in 2022. How many did he win? Zero. Zero means zero, and this time too, zero means zero. Those who engage in politics based on caste and religion should understand that people will not vote based on Muslim, Yadav, OBC or Dalit identities…” she said.

BJP MLA Ram Kadam said that forming an alliance and contesting elections together was a democratic right. However, he questioned the development agenda of the two parties.

“It is their personal decision whether Asaduddin Owaisi and Chandrashekhar Azad choose to make an announcement together at a press conference in Uttar Pradesh. However, forming an alliance and contesting elections together is a democratic right. Both parties have acknowledged that they cannot fight the BJP alone and are therefore seeking each other’s support. Even if they come together, what is their agenda for Uttar Pradesh’s development, education and law and order? What concrete plans do they have? Is their only objective to protect each other’s political interests and create political equations?” he asked.

BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also dismissed the political significance of the alliance, saying: “…They all know that there is no political space for them… But let them do it. They keep doing these things for a little happiness and self-satisfaction…”

On the other hand, Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad asserted that the people of Uttar Pradesh had made up their minds to defeat the BJP and bring the SP-led alliance to power.

“The people of the state have firmly resolved that if any party has the strength to remove the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), it is solely the Samajwadi Party, PDA, the INDI Alliance, and its leader Akhilesh Yadav. They have resolved this; it has been decided. So, as for anyone meeting one another, whatever meetings they hold, the public knows very well who they are meeting for and who they are meeting to help win; the public knows. Now, the public is no longer under any illusion,” he said.

SP spokesperson Udayveer Singh said that parties were free to form alliances according to their political convenience and understanding, adding that the primary objective of his party was to remove the BJP government from power.

“Certainly, it is election time, so all parties are forming alliances according to their convenience and understanding. This party is also forming one; they are welcome, and they will form their own alliance. We are also in our own alliance, and our objective is to uproot and throw out the Bharatiya Janata Party government. So, certainly, the people of the state have to decide who is fighting against the Bharatiya Janata Party in what manner at such a time…” he said.

RLD leader K.C. Tyagi, meanwhile, said that the alliance would not affect the NDA’s electoral prospects but could make the election campaign more competitive.

“This will have no impact on the NDA’s success or its agenda. However, I believe their presence will bring more excitement and aggression to the election campaign,” he said.

SP MP Jitendra Kumar Dohare also dismissed the possibility of the AIMIM-ASP alliance affecting his party’s prospects, alleging that both parties were working in the BJP’s interest.

“There will be no harm. There will be no harm from these people. As I told you, they are the BJP’s ‘B-team,’ so why would people want to vote for the BJP’s people? No, not at all; it will be a completely one-sided election in favour of the Samajwadi Party. The Samajwadi Party was respected Netaji’s party, and it is Akhilesh Yadav’s party. Everyone wants to see, and everyone wishes, ‘May I get business, may I get employment, may I get a job’…” he said.

Dohare further alleged that Owaisi and Chandrashekhar were working in coordination with the BJP to weaken the Samajwadi Party.

“You must have heard Owaisi’s speeches, and you must have heard Chandrashekhar’s speeches as well. Both of them are the BJP’s ‘B-team,’ and the public has come to realise this too. Because there is no trust in them, whenever you look at the past elections, whether it was the Assembly elections or the Lok Sabha elections, nobody wants to give their vote to Chandrashekhar Ravan. Because they work in collusion with the BJP; they are hand-in-glove with the BJP. Owaisi too; both of them together want the Samajwadi Party to suffer losses…” he said.

Congress MP Imran Masood, meanwhile, said that the political contest was primarily between the two leading national figures, Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi.

“…The fight is clearly between Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi. There is no middle ground…” he said.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday strongly defended her mother, Sonia Gandhi’s newly released memoir, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party and RSS of spreading lies and fabricating stories about her for years, and said she was happy that the BJP was now reading her book.

Speaking to reporters during her visit to her Wayanad constituency, Priyanka Gandhi said her mother had remained silent for most of her adult life in India despite being subjected to sustained criticism and allegations by the BJP, RSS and others.

“For the whole of my mother’s adult life in India, the BJP, RSS and many others have said whatever they wanted about my mother. They have lied, they have fabricated stories and also invented stories about her, and she has been quiet. Now, she is telling her story, and she has the right to do so. It is good that they are ready to read it. For so long, they (BJP) have been telling lies about my mother, and now she is telling the truth. I am happy they are reading her book,” she said.

This was Priyanka Gandhi’s first visit to Wayanad after the release of Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’, on November 10.

The book, which chronicles Sonia Gandhi’s personal journey and her years in Indian politics, has triggered a political exchange between the Congress and the BJP.

The BJP has criticised the memoir, accusing Sonia Gandhi of attempting to whitewash controversial chapters of the Congress party’s history, including the Emergency and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

The Congress, however, has defended her right to present her own account of events.

Priyanka Gandhi’s remarks came during a three-day visit to Wayanad, where she is scheduled to inaugurate development projects and review ongoing works in her constituency.

On Thursday, she visited the family of the late Padma Shri awardee and traditional seed conservationist Cheruvayal Raman in Mananthavady.

She was also scheduled to inaugurate two Smart Anganwadis at Kammana and Thrissillery.

Priyanka Gandhi represents Wayanad in the Lok Sabha, having won the constituency in the 2024 by-election after her brother Rahul Gandhi vacated the seat to retain Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh.